Miss. high court to hear appeal from convicted murderer

The Clarion-Ledger, 5/28/8

The Mississippi Supreme Court will hear an appeal from convicted murderer Herman Avara, who contends he has new evidence that might win him another trial in the death of Mamie Arnold.

A Pike County judge rejected Avara’s post-conviction petition in 2006. The state Court of Appeals sided with the trial judge in 2007. The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear Avara’s appeal.

Avara was convicted in Pike County Circuit Court in 1999 in the hanging death of Arnold, who was identified as his girlfriend. He was sentenced to life in prison.